Jack Brockless is the Head of Sociology at Esher Sixth Form College. Jack joined Esher in January 2015 as a Teacher of Sociology. Jack was promoted to the Head of Sociology at the beginning of this term.

Sociology is the study of human society and the social relationships and institutions within it.

Read about the Sociology A Level course at Esher Sixth Form College.

Why have you chosen to work in a Sixth Form college?

I really enjoyed my own time in education undertaking my A Levels, it felt like an important life stage towards becoming an independent adult. Therefore, working alongside learners at this point in their educational career always feels exciting. I also feel that the 16-18 demographic are rather demonised by the media and society at large, and so the rebel spirit in me cannot help but want to support the ‘underdog’ where I can!

What achievement are you most proud of?

The opening speaker who addressed the cohort at the start of my teaching qualification said that their aim was for us all to become “someone’s favourite teacher”. I have been fortunate in my career to date to have some students tell me I have been one of their favourites, and that has always felt like something to be proud of.

What inspired you to become a teacher?

I was lucky to have some amazing teachers that inspired me as a learner: Mr Baker and Mr Norton who introduced me to Tolkein and Dickens respectively; Mr Zoladkiewicz who trusted me to write a stage play which toured Hungary with him; Mr Doran and Mr Loftus whose sharply contrasting politics taught me to love a good debate. I wanted to pay back their effort and enthusiasm, so it had to be the life of a teacher for me.

What book or film has inspired you the most?

“The Glass Bead Game” by Herman Hesse. I love it when a book has the power to completely transport you into its world, and this book has that quality in spades. The fact that the characters and story is rooted in academia, education, and learning (seasoned with a dash of fantasy) really sells it too. There’s a reason Hesse won the Nobel Prize for Literature for it!

What words of wisdom would you give your 16 year old self?

Be kind to yourself. Whilst you are the main character in your own story, try to worry less about what others think of you, especially as being the main character of their own story means they rarely do.

If you weren’t a teacher, what would you be?

A heraldic scholar or a political revolutionary!